AFC Leopards coach stays positive in title race despite ‘painful defeat’

AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani conceded their FKF Premier League Mashemeji derby defeat against rivals Gor Mahia was ‘painful to take’ but refused to rule out his side from the race to win the title this season.

In the 99th derby at Nyayo National Stadium, Gor Mahia needed a late goal courtesy of captain Alpha Onyango to carry the derby bragging rights and move six points clear ahead of their rivals on the 18-team league table.

Kayci Odhiambo leads us out…. pic.twitter.com/mqL7eYE4eY

— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) April 26, 2026

The win enabled Gor Mahia to avenge their first-round defeat, which AFC Leopards had won by a similar margin. Speaking afterwards, Ambani, who was yet to lose in a derby, admitted his side did not deserve to lose.

‘We want to win our matches’

“It’s a painful defeat, we know losing a game is part of the game, but this one, it pains, it hurts,” Ambani told Flashscore.

On the title race, Ambani responded: “We still have matches to play, and it will be not good for someone to say the title is gone. We want to win our matches, because we know we still have matches to play.”

The former AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars striker continued: “We have lost because of bad luck, if you look at the goal we conceded, it’s not a goal that Gor Mahia created or planned, it just came from nowhere, for me I will assume it was not our day.

“In the second half we dominated the game, we were on top of Gor Mahia, but they were lucky to get the goal. Kelly (Madada) brought something into the team that we were lacking in the first half, but I still insist we lost because of back luck.”

Akonnor proud of Gor Mahia players

Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor praised his players for their mentality and fighting spirit which helped them to earn revenge against their bitter rivals.

“Everything we planned for, everything we wanted to do in the field of play, we did it. The boys were able to implement exactly what we wanted them to do. I am so proud of them, how they played was wonderful,” said the Ghanaian legend.

“We looked at the opponent very well, compared with what we did in the first round, we looked at exactly what they were made of, and so, we strategised everything.

“In the first half, you realised we were better, we controlled the game, they couldn’t breathe, and that is exactly what we planned. I must say the boys have done very well, I salute them because of the performance.”

The victory left Gor Mahia at the top with 61 points amassed from 18 wins, seven draws, and four defeats, while AFC Leopards remained second with 55 points garnered from 16 wins, seven draws, and six defeats.